The Nairobi City Thunder edged out the Equity Dumas with a nail-biting 79-77 victory in the first game of the men’s Premier League semi-final playoffs on Friday night in a thrilling showdown at Nairobi’s Nyayo Gymnasium.
The match, which was witnessed by a capacity crowd, saw the Thunder maintain their composure and extend their impressive season-long performance. The Thunder took an early lead, finishing the first quarter 18-16 and widening the gap by the half-time whistle with a score of 43-36.
The intensity continued post-half-time, with both teams locked in a 19-19 draw for the third quarter. However, the Thunder managed to pull ahead in the final quarter with a 17-12 run, securing a slim two-point advantage at the final buzzer.
Griffins Ligare, Thunder’s point guard and captain, led the charge with 15 points, while teammates Albert Odero and Garang Diing contributed a combined 27 points to the victory.
Thunder’s head coach, Brad Ibs, acknowledged the challenge posed by the Dumas, stating, “It was a very competitive and intense match, but I am pleased with our win. We’ll focus on enhancing our defense as we prepare for Sunday’s game two.”
Equity Dumas’ head coach, Carrey Odhiambo, despite the loss, praised his team’s effort and competitive spirit, remarking, “The game was tight, and we performed well. We’ll address our errors to come back stronger in the next game.”
The stage is set for a riveting rematch as the two teams gear up to face off in Game Two on Sunday.
